Planning timeline:
2007 – Trail Development Study began
2014 – Antigonish Town & County Active Transportation Plan was created
2016 – Active Transportation Committee was formed
2020 – Town & County completed the Active Transportation Functional Plan and submitted applications for Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) funding
2021 – The Town received project approval in June
2022 – The County received project approval in July
2027/2028 FY - Town projects extended completion date
Similar to The Municipality of The County of Antigonish, the provincial and federal funding for 73.33% ($2,987,831) of the project total, an estimated $4.62 million, was secured through an Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) application. [1]
The Town has received a one-time Sustainable Services Growth Fund Grant of $336,844.61 from the Province of Nova Scotia that was allocated to this project. This covers the Town’s AT contribution for 2023/2024 and 2024/2025.
So far, the Town of Antigonish has funded just 3.83% of the infrastructure completed to date, yet residents already benefit from its use. If the Town's spending were viewed as an investment, it would represent an incredible 2,509.73% return—like spending $100 on groceries and walking away with $2,509.73 worth of food!
COST BREAKDOWN (based on available data)
Federal and Provincial ICIP Funding & Grants
Federal (40% of project)
+ 1,630,056.91
Provincial (33.33% of project)
+ 1,358,953.36
Total ICIP Funding
2,987,831.00
Provincial Sustainable Services Growth Fund Grant
+ 336,844.61
Total Funding
3,324,675.61
Cost to Date (2022 to the end of the 2024/2025 fiscal year)
Covered by Funding
+ 1,330,000.00
The Town of Antigonish
+ 53,011.05
Projected Costs Remaining
Covered by Funding
+ 1,994,675.61
The Town of Antigonish
+ 1,242,313.34
Total Future Costs
3,236,988.95
ICIP CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
There is a clause in the agreement pertaining to the funding if the project is not completed.
"Any federal or provincial funding paid for Eligible Expenditures incurred and paid for by the Project will be returned to the Province should the Project be cancelled or withdrawn."
This means that the Town of Antigonish has 2 options.
Option 1: Complete the entire project with additional contributions of approximately $1,242,313.34 from the Town.
Option 2: Don't complete the project and wait to see if the Federal and Provincial government ask for their combined $1,330,000 contribution back. The Town staff are unsure if the Federal or Provincial government would enforce this clause, but noted that they are in their full right to do so.
Above: Conceptual diagram view looking at the planned developments, showing new road types, updates to intersections and bridges, pathways, and sidewalks.
Image credit: The Municipality of the County of Antigonish.
The first phase of Antigonish's Active Transportation (AT) Trail is now complete, featuring a paved, multi-use pathway from the West St. roundabout at Trunk 4 to Highland Drive.
Future expansions, pending council approval, aim to extend the trail through St. Ninian Street, Church Street, Columbus Field, and East Main Street to Adam Street.
Project A: West St. to Highland Dr.
Status: Finished
- The first phase of the AT Trail is now open for walking, running, cycling, and scootering.
Project B: St. Ninian St.
Status: Pending Approval
- This phase replaces the sidewalk with a shared-use trail.
Above: Proposed developments, showing a narrowed road (from 9.8 meters to 8 meters like West St.), an added multi-use pathway, and sidewalk changes on St. Ninian Street between Highland Drive and Notre Dame Avenue.
Image credit: The Town of Antigonish
Project C: Columbus Field
Status: Pending Approval
- This section will create a new footpath, including a pedestrian bridge, and improve accessibility.
Above: Proposed developments, showing an added multi-use pathway starting at Church St. and flowing through the woods into Columbus Field, and sidewalk changes on Main St. between Columbus Field and the proposed Bay St. upgrades.
Image credit: The Town of Antigonish
Project D: Bay Street
Status: Pending Funding & Approval
This section is designed alongside the Bay Street Project for efficiency.
The timeline depends on securing funding.
The Bay Street Project is a separate infrastructure upgrade that involves roadwork, drainage improvements, and accessibility enhancements. Since the AT Trail route overlaps with Bay Street, it makes sense to complete both projects together to reduce disruptions and save costs.
Above: Proposed developments, showing a partially narrowed road, an added multi-use pathway, sidewalk changes on Bay St. between Haley Rd. and the entrance to St. Martha's Regional Hospital, and a potential crosswalk added to connect the two multi-use paths.
Image credit: The Town of Antigonish
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